Missed the live session? Watch the replay of the Veterinary Business Institute’s Annual Practice Success Panel, a must-watch roundtable discussion featuring expert insights on navigating the early years of veterinary practice ownership.
Starting a new veterinary practice is both an exciting and challenging journey. The first five years are critical in establishing a strong foundation for long-term success, and knowing the right strategies can make all the difference. This one-hour session brings together leading experts in veterinary practice management to provide actionable insights on financial management, client acquisition, team building, and work-life balance.
Webinar Focus:
This session is essential for veterinary professionals looking to establish and grow a thriving practice. Gain expert insights and real-world strategies to elevate your leadership skills, build a strong team, and ensure financial success during the crucial early years of practice ownership.
Veterinary Management Consultant | Global Speaker
Senior Manager, Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC
Monica Dixon Perry is a seasoned veterinary management consultant and global speaker with over two decades of experience guiding veterinary professionals and organizations toward sustainable growth and operational excellence. Currently serving as a Senior Manager at BerryDunn, Monica specializes in financial management, personnel development, regulatory compliance, and ethical leadership within veterinary practices.
With a background that spans consulting, executive leadership, and academia, Monica is known for her hands-on, practical approach to helping veterinary teams thrive. She previously served as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Mission Veterinary Partners and operated her own consultancy for over 14 years, supporting veterinary hospitals across North America. Monica also lectured on Veterinary Practice Management at North Carolina State University, enriching the next generation of veterinary professionals.
A Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Monica brings a unique blend of business insight and a deep understanding of veterinary practice dynamics. She is passionate about empowering veterinary teams to deliver exceptional patient care, build resilient practices, and foster workplace environments where people and animals flourish.
Attorney | DEA & Regulatory Compliance Expert
Chair, Veterinary Practice Group at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP
Mary Mongioi is a Partner at Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP and Chair of the firm’s Veterinary Practice Group. With more than two decades of experience in veterinary and dental corporate law, Mary is nationally recognized for her expertise in practice acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and DEA regulatory compliance. She represents both individual practice owners and private equity-backed consolidators across the United States, guiding clients through the full lifecycle of practice ownership—from formation and financing to mergers, sales, and transitions.
In addition to corporate and transactional matters, Mary provides strategic counsel on partnership structuring, leasing and real estate deals, and regulatory audits. She is especially known for her skill in DEA compliance and diversion-related legal challenges within veterinary and dental settings.
Mary’s leadership in the veterinary industry includes serving as Chair of VetPartners’ 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting, and she has received numerous accolades including being named to Crain’s 2022 Notable Women in Law and New York Super Lawyers®. She is also a published author on legal topics ranging from estate tax to trust principles.
A former adjunct professor of Business Law and Real Estate at Touro College, Mary earned her law degree from Hofstra University and her undergraduate degree in English from Wagner College. She is a sought-after speaker and trusted advisor to veterinary professionals seeking practical, legally sound solutions to complex business issues.
Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist
Grief Coach | Pet Loss Educator | Workplace Wellness Consultant
Founder, Claire Chew Coaching and Consulting
Claire is a certified compassion fatigue specialist and life transitions/grief coach who has helped hundreds of people move from burnout, grief, and trauma toward healing and personal transformation. Whether her clients are navigating the loss of a loved one, a significant life change, or emotional exhaustion, Claire provides the compassionate guidance needed to reclaim balance and purpose.
As a pet loss educator and coach, Claire supports pet lovers around the world in understanding, accepting, and growing through their grief. Through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and self-guided programs, she helps people unpack the heartbreak of losing a beloved animal—and understand how the unconditional love of a pet can often trigger deeper emotional responses in unexpected areas of life.
Claire brings her expertise into veterinary settings as well, working with respected organizations such as Access Specialty Animal Hospitals, Seattle Animal Medical Center, and others. Her work focuses on compassion resilience, teaching veterinary staff how to recognize burnout, build emotional wellness, and cultivate healthy coping strategies.
Claire’s calling emerged from personal tragedy. After a successful career in design working with brands like Absolut Vodka, Sony Vaio, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross of California, Toyota, and Lexus, she was forever changed by the death of her dog, Sophie, in 2003. That loss led her to launch a heartfelt venture celebrating the bond between pets and people—a brand that, in its first year, was featured in InStyle Magazine’s holiday gift guide and adorned the necks of celebrity pets. But more importantly, it ignited her spiritual evolution and passion to help others heal.
Claire’s own journey is filled with resilience, transformation, and miracles:
Claire knows firsthand that most people don’t learn about grief, trauma, or burnout until they have to. Her work is rooted in personal experience and professional training, and she continues to “walk her talk”—living proof that it’s possible to make lemonade out of even life’s sourest lemons.
Claire is a passionate foodie and loves experimenting in the kitchen—especially when making her homemade kimchi. She lives by the beach with her beloved pups, Lucy and Linus, and treasures every moment with her miracle daughter, who reminds her daily that anything is possible.
Webinar Moderator
Co-host, Veterinary Business Podcast
As an influential leader, Michael looks for opportunities to add value to people. He believes everybody has untapped potential, and most of us have a desire to unlock and engage this potential as we experience the adventure of life and achieve the success that matters.
Part of that success for Michael looks like empowering leaders to lead themselves and others and helping them achieve prosperity in every area of life that they can’t wait to give away to others!
Michael is a recognized Leadership and Business Advisory Coach within an exceptionally diverse range of businesses and organizational sectors.
He is also a professional mediator and facilitator. In addition, he also holds the following qualifications and designations: Qualified (Q.MED) mediator with the ADR Institute of Canada.
Top Skills: